When the “insider” has only an outside chance to get the job you want.

by Duncan Mathison

“I didn’t get the job because they promoted someone from within.”

I have heard this story before. It happens. Unfortunately, if you are a job seeker on the outside of the company you would LOVE to work for, it’s easy to conclude you have no chance hell of getting in the door unless it is on the ground floor pushing a broom. 

Don’t believe it. Insiders often have three serious disadvantages when compared to outside candidates.

Known weaknesses. Managers can be notorious for seeing what is wrong with someone. It’s not that they are overly negative; they are just good at finding flaws. Everyone has flaws. The manager knows the internal candidate’s flaws, they do not know yours. Point for you.

Insiders represent the” same old” when change is needed. As Isaac Asimov observed, “The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change…” If a manager needs a fresh perspective they will turn to an outsider. As a job seeker, find out what is changing so you can understand how your talents and skills can get them there. You are the future.

Moving an insider to a new job creates another problem. Sure the manager can promote Jennifer to the new job. Now they have to find someone to do Jennifer’s old job. Solve one problem create another.  And if Jennifer is doing a really terrific job in her current job, the replacement will take even longer to ramp up performance. Keep Jennifer in her job and hire you. Problem solved.

Tags: ace the interview, career advice, crazy boss, Duncan Mathison, job interview, job search, Over-qualified, positive psychology, prospective boss, resumes, Transferable Skills, unemployment

This entry was posted on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 10:03 am and is filed under Blog, job search. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.